Reconciliation Week – Be Brave Make Change

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.  Last year Reconciliation Australia encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National  Reconciliation Week but every week of the year. We saw unprecedented response to our suggested actions for everyday and for braver action.

This year we are asking everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives; where they live, work, play and socialise. National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

At this Friday’s Star Awards Assembly, we will acknowledge Reconciliation Week with a special Acknowledgement of Country and a ‘Sea of Hands’ display.

Little MonStars Playgroup - We welcomed our first ever group of families to the The Little MonStars playgroup on Wednesday! Special thanks to the Playgroup coordinators June Edwards and Dani O’Brien, for their organisation and set-up of this important program for our school community. Yesterday was all about getting to know one another, making a monster collage, singing monster songs and reading monster stories. If you know of someone in the local community with infants, toddlers or preschoolers, please invite them along to the playgroup! The theme for next week’s playgroup is ‘Dinosaur Roar’

Visit by Director Ross Fox

Tomorrow, Director of Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn Ross Fox will be coming to visit St Monica’s. He will visit classrooms, meet with the leadership team, discuss our School’s Annual Improvement Plan and Catalyst journey. He may even join us for the Star Awards at 2.30pm!

Baby News in KB

Congratulations to Josie C in KB on the arrival of her new baby sister. Sending our well wishes to Josie’s family at this very special time.

Staffing News:  We welcome Mrs Linda Baird to the St Monica’s Community. Linda will be joining our Front Office team as Assistant Finance Officer. Another friendly face to greet you at the counter and on the phone!

Lockdown Procedure

Lockdown and Lockout procedures have been developed to assist schools in responding to critical incidents where the threat is located inside and/or outside of the building; and threat to staff and students is minimised through restricting movement within the school buildings and grounds.

Lockdown involves restricting classes to classrooms or buildings, and locking both internal and external doors. During a lockdown, movement within the building is restricted in response to an immediate threat to the school. Individuals are required to remain in their classroom until the situation has been declared safe by the Principal or a Police Officer. Emergency Situations where Lockdown may be an appropriate response include:

• Hostile or armed intruders have gained access to the premises
• Explosions
• Gas leaks
• Dangerous animals eg savage dog, brown snake

It is important that our students routinely practice the lockdown procedure so that they are aware of the requirements and processes that will occur during this time. Next week, St Monica’s Primary School will be engaging in a Lockdown Drill. Your child’s classroom teacher will go through the process of what needs to happen in the event the school needs to go into lockdown. I am giving families advance warning of this, so that it will not be a surprise to you if your child comes home and says, “The school went into lockdown today’ You may like to speak with your child/ren about what might happen during a Lockdown event.

Peace and blessings to all,